This was my three-peat run on the Coastal Marin 50K, organized by Robert Rhodes of Bay Trail Runners. The idea is super simple and super fun. About 25 of us show up at the south end of Golden Gate Bridge. After some quick introductions and a raffle, Rob shuttles us over to Olema and drops us right in the middle of a couple of dozen mad cows. We then have to scramble our way out of there and run for our lives back to San Francisco over a distance of 34 miles. Okay, kidding about the cows.

From Olema, we run along the Bolinas Ridge Trail, then Coastal, Matt Davis to Pantoll Station, down on Dipsea Trail and up on Miwok and then down to Tennessee Valley. The last segment is up on Marincello, SCA trail with the finale of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge back to our cars where ice cold IPA waits. Rob’s dad and brother help us out with their mobile aid stations along the way. Add in a whole lot of camaraderie, looking out for each other, eating (a lot), taking pictures and regrouping constantly, you’ve got a blissfully awesome day on the trails.

Coastal Marin 50K

You can read more on the trail details from the first time I ran Coastal Marin 50K. This blog is mostly just pictures from the run. Here’s my Strava activity:

Today was especially blissful because of the fog that hung out with us for most of the run. I don’t think I saw sun until we got to the top of Miwok. Even after the sun came out, we were running on the ridge where the breeze kept us cool.

Got to mention the wild blackberries at the start of the Bolinas Ridge Trail head were so awesome. With how much they go for these days, should’ve gotten a bunch 🙂

The first aid station was at mile 11, right at the start of Coastal. I was going gourmet, as I usually do on this run. Pita pockets with hummus/olives, dark chocolate nutty bites from TJ’s, the whole enchilada!

The Coastal Trail was so awesome (a little muggy with the fog) and the miles were just dissolving into the background. The tall grass was a little tricky to navigate and I was getting soaked all over with it. I think I might’ve seen some stinging nettles too (do they even grow here?)

From Pantoll, we headed down Dipsea Trail which intertwines with Deer Park fire road. I think I missed a turn here and ended up at the Muir Beach Visitor Center. Dang it. Had to check the map and work my way back up Dipsea Trail to get back on the route. I was the last one up Miwok to get to the aid station. Everyone was ready to go. So a quick chug on coke and off on the 3.5 mile downhill to Tennessee Valley (PR too!). From here, everyone was ready to get to the car. Of course, Marincello was in the way before we could to that. Lots of walking, but the first sight of Golden Gate Bridge always brings a smile to everyone’s face.

We got back to the car in about 7 hours and 30 minutes, but running time for me was roughly 6 hours. As I mentioned lots of waiting around, eating, taking pictures and just relaxing and having a great time. Forgot to pictures while we crossed Golden Gate Bridge, but that always comes as a shock to the system after 7 hours of serenity and some solitude on the trails.

We hung out by our cars for a while just catching up about the day, but all good things do come to an end. I met some pretty amazing runners today and definitely look forward to the next edition of Coastal Marin 50K.

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